AT TECH (In 2011): Made an immediate impact stepping in for an injury Jerry King as a true freshman and dominated the d-line...started every game but the first...totaled 92 tackles to lead the team, including 34 unassisted stops and a team-high 58 helpers...had two tackles-for-loss over three games for four yards...top performance came in the Golden Eagles' playoff game against Central Arkansas during which he had 16 total stops...recorded a forced fumble in the OVC title game against APSU on Nov. 19...had four pass breakups on the season...notched double digit tackles in five of 11 games, including three consecutive double-digit efforts to close out the season...finished the season tied for fifth in the conference with an average of 8.4 tackles per game.

BEFORE TECH: Austin was a three-year starter for seven-time state champion Alcoa High School, capping his final season with all-state honors. A two-time all-Blount County pick, he was all-district in 2010, helping post a 15-0 record and capture the Class 3A state crown in Tucker Stadium. In the 2010 East vs. West High School All-Star game, he was chosen the Defensive MVP after making 19 total tackles, including 10 solo stops, breaking up two passes and intercepting a pass. During the regular season, playing on defense in seven games he had 22 total tackles, four passes defended and one interception, in addition to returning a punt for a touchdown. During the TSSAA playoffs, he added 10 tackles, an interception and three passes defended.

PERSONAL: The son of Jim and Wendy Tallant...birthdate is February 4, 1993...full name is Jacob Austin Tallant...majoring in fitness and wellness.